Some local music do's and don'ts.

I've been floating around the Cedar Rapids music scene for a wonderful two years now, and figured it's high time I provide a list of the things that I wish people had told me when I was first getting started.

THE DO'S:

DO - Answer your phone:
The number one thing you can do as an artist, musician, business person, or anything else in a local scene to shoot yourself in the foot is to not respond to contact. If a venue or promoter wants you to do a show, and you don't read your emails or answer your phone, you just missed an opportunity, and quite possibly damaged a relationship beyond repair in one fell swoop. Make sure you provide adequate contact information, and then make good use of it!

DO - Be visible:
Local scenes are all about networking, and every show or venue you haven't been to is a missed opportunity. Be friendly, introduce yourself, and make some connections! You never know who will bring you your next big show or give you a deal on recording because you were friendly. *hint hint*

DO - Listen!:
In the real world, the situations in which you are in charge are likely going to be few and far between, especially when you're first starting out. If someone asks you to do something you don't agree with, ask questions! It's likely there's a good reason for the request, and it probably benefits you more than you think.

THE DON'TS:

DON'T - Be rude:
This seems like a freebie, but it's amazing how many people have problems with this. We're all in this crazy thing called music together, and if you've got a problem with someone, work it out! Nobody wants people talking trash behind their back, and you're just going to make yourself some nice enemies (and estrange yourself from a portion of what may be an already limited music scene).

DON'T - Be unprofessional:
I debated this one. I was considering putting professionalism in the DO category, but I felt it belonged here. Being unprofessional is absolutely a choice, and it will cause problems for you when you're trying to make a name for yourself. People have a long memory, and they will hold a grudge. Make the effort to present yourself well, follow through on commitments, and people will see you as a professional musician.

DON'T - Do anything halfway:
One thing I hear all the time about local music is the "I don't want to see a local band, they all sound terrible, and I'm not about to pay for something that's bad." This should not be true, but unfortunately, at times it can be. Put in the effort to make a change! Running the vocals through a PA and turning them up isn't "fine", and having a set of 100 covers isn't "good enough". Especially dangerous is the demo CD. If you have to call it a demo CD, it's not prepared for the public to hear. If you build it, they will come, but not if it sucks.

Cheers, and keep making it happen.

-Shard